Controller for ipod shuffle

Abstract

A controller for a digital audio player is provided. The controller for the digital audio player includes a body. A jack plug extends from the body. A jack socket is within the body and is coupled to the jack plug. A plurality of buttons is on the body and is coupled to the jack plug.

1 . A controller for a digital audio player, comprising:
 a body;   a jack plug extending from the body;   a jack socket within the body and coupled to the jack plug; and   a plurality of buttons on the body and coupled to the jack plug.   
     
     
         2 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to at least partially protect the digital audio player. 
     
     
         3 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the jack plug comprises a male tip, a male first ring, a male second ring, and a male sleeve and the jack socket comprises a female tip, a female ring, and a female sleeve; the male tip is coupled to the female tip; the male first ring is coupled to the female ring; the male second ring is coupled to the female sleeve; and the plurality of buttons are coupled to the male sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of buttons comprise a first button configured to provide a volume up command to the digital audio player, a second button configured to provide a volume down command to the digital audio player, and a third button configured to provide track control commands to the digital audio player. 
     
     
         5 . The controller of  claim 4 , wherein the third button controls an audio signal output by the jack socket, the first button increases a volume of the audio signal output by the jack socket, and the second button decreases the volume of the audio signal output by the jack socket. 
     
     
         6 . The controller of  claim 4 , further comprising a circuit housed within the body, wherein the circuit receives the volume up command, the volume down command, and the track control commands, and outputs a corresponding command to the jack plug, wherein the jack plug receives an audio signal from the digital audio player and provides the audio signal to the jack socket. 
     
     
         7 . A controller for a digital audio player, comprising:
 a body;   a jack plug extending from the body and configured to couple to a jack socket of the digital audio player;   a jack socket within the body configured to provide audio output from the digital audio player; and   a plurality of buttons configured to control the digital audio player.   
     
     
         8 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein the jack plug is a 3.5 mm four-conductor male TRRS connector. 
     
     
         9 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein the jack socket is a 3.5 mm three-conductor female TRS connector. 
     
     
         10 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein the jack plug comprises a tip, a first ring, a second ring, and a sleeve; the jack socket is coupled to the tip, the first ring, and the second ring; and the plurality of buttons are coupled to the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of buttons comprise a first button configured to provide a volume up command to the digital audio player, a second button configured to provide a volume down command to the digital audio player, and a third button configured to provide track control commands to the digital audio player. 
     
     
         12 . The controller of  claim 7 , further comprising an integrated circuit housed within the body and coupled to the plurality of buttons and to the jack plug, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to receive input from the plurality of buttons, to process the input to formulate an input to the digital audio player, and to provide the formulated input to the digital audio player. 
     
     
         13 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein the digital audio player is an iPod shuffle. 
     
     
         14 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the body comprises a first body portion and a second body portion,   the first body portion is configured to extend from a top side of the digital audio player and the second body portion is configured to extend down a front side of the digital audio player to protect the front side of the digital audio player,   the jack plug extends from the first body portion to connect with the jack socket of the digital audio player,   the jack socket is within the first body portion, and   the plurality of buttons are on the second body portion.   
     
     
         15 . The controller of  claim 14 , wherein the body further comprises a rear alignment tab extending from the first body portion in parallel with the second body portion, the rear alignment tab being configured to align the digital audio player between the rear alignment tab and the second body portion. 
     
     
         16 . The controller of  claim 14 , wherein the first body portion comprises a clearance pocket located adjacent the jack plug, the clearance pocket being configured to provide clearance for a mechanical switch of the digital audio player. 
     
     
         17 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein the body comprises a case configured to at least partially enclose the digital audio player. 
     
     
         18 . The controller of  claim 17 , wherein the case comprises an opening configured to allow insertion of the digital audio player and access to a clip attached to the digital audio player. 
     
     
         19 . The controller of  claim 17 , wherein the case is configured to completely enclose the digital audio player. 
     
     
         20 . The controller of  claim 17 , wherein the controller further comprises a mechanical switch on the case, the mechanical switch being configured to couple to a mechanical switch of the digital audio player.